crime

Chef says he stole women's underwear from balcony because he was stressed out

46 Comments

A 32-year-old male chef has been arrested on suspicion of stealing women’s underwear from an apartment balcony in Tokyo, police said.

The suspect, identified as Yuya Arai, was quoted by police as saying he had done the same thing more than 10 times because he was stressed out, Sports Nippon reported Tuesday.

According to police, Arai is suspected of stealing eight underwear items from the ground floor balcony of an apartment in Setagaya Ward. The woman, whose underwear had been stolen three times, consulted police and they set up a security camera which showed Arai in action.

Police said they found about 80 underwear items of various sizes belonging to different women at Arai’s home.

Arai told police he had stolen underwear more than 10 times over the last 7-8 months. He also said that he had exposed his lower body in front of women who were on their way home more than 20 times. “I wanted to let off steam because I have been feeling stressed out,” Arai said.

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46 Comments
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That's definitely some odd behavior to deal with stress.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Call me old-fashioned but I tend to just go jogging or kick back with some brewskis.Stress and/or "I was drunk/can't remember a thing"--they sure are catch-all lechery get out jail cards here.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

Get it right loser! You didn't do it because you were stressed out! You did it because you are a sick and deviant pervert!

10 ( +13 / -3 )

I wonder.

Did ripping off these birds' skivvies release the stress?

Or was it exposing his "lower body?"

How about the stress he caused to those whose panty count was lowered by one pair each time they hung up the washing and those who were exposed to his "naughty bits" without their consent?

5 ( +6 / -1 )

I don't want to eat the food this guy has been cooking.

11 ( +12 / -1 )

Sick

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Pathetic,, moronic, insane, loser, pervert, burglar..get him locked up and treated fast.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

As a returning Japanese who spent his childhood abroad I can't say this surprises me. I come home, turn on the TV....

Movie channel (Guy likes girl, he asks her out) Japanese channel (Guy likes girl, so guy makes a hole to peek into her room) Movie channel. (Guy likes girl, he buys her flowers) Japanese channel (Guy likes girl, he finds a way to punish her for not buying him flowers so far)

Teaching guys to be withdrawn and to act on fetishes instead of normal behavior seems quite prevalent sometimes

21 ( +25 / -4 )

Weird article. says ha has been arrested "on suspicion" but then says he is on film and has confessed....... and agree, this type of behaviour is reinforced by so many Japanese movies and TV and so on.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

How does stealing underwear and flashing body part to women relieve stress? Am I missing something here?

4 ( +5 / -1 )

100 CPM,

get him locked up and treated fast

The problem is that many of those who "treat" people like this suffer from similar or worse problems of their own!

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

We can all condemn this poor chap but he desperately needs mental help.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

Vernie is the only one who got it right!

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

It's just underwear

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

They should make him wear them.......in prison. That should make him real popular there.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Fetishism and exhibitionism is a disorder whereby a person is experiencing extreme difficulties in their lives as such, it is important for people with this illness to seek professional help. Seeking help from a professional psychologist or psychiatrist who you trust and is well-referred will help you understand yourself and your disorder and will help you overcome the disorder and better your way of life. Unfortunately there are many misconceptions about mental illnesses. We should never judge a human being for having a mental disorder and treat them with respect and dignity. Be grateful you don't suffer from any mental illness.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Weird article. says ha has been arrested "on suspicion" but then says he is on film and has confessed

Suspect until proven guilty in a court of law.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Participants to this discussion... have you looked at the social issues that this article points to?

This is but a multitude of same and similar incidents over the years with increasing numbers.

True we must first address this as a single incident and as a news article. However, this distressing news point to something that the entire society must first look at and address. There are questions that could and probably be best if addressed.

Why only men in Japan here and now are being arrested? Does this happen in other countries? Why? Why not?

What are the laws that only target men? Why? Why not?

What are the social, meaning societal, morals, ethics and legal values and thought process that address this type of issues? Who? When? Where? Why?

Putting fairness, equality, legality, and thoughts such as "rights" of one party, what are the hidden causes, socially, psychologically, and otherwise, how would you address this type of so called "problem"?

Living here in this host country now for about 4 years, I find it a social and psychological issue rather than a legal or criminal issue that must first be addressed.

Can you guess and state some of your opinions before I do mine?

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

That's some confession. I find it hard to believe it wasn't scripted by the cops. You're on the hook for one pair of panties, so why 'fess up to the rest? Next he'll be confessing to the murder of JFK.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

So, sexual fetishism is now called stress?

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Nothing unhealthy about sexual fetishes.

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

Interestingly, our society most recently likes to make every unacceptable and irregular action or activity a "medical" issue assigning names to them and trying to find "cures" for them. Especially with psychology and psychologists looking at the "symptoms" and not yet fully understanding the "causes".

The patient actually stated "stress" was the cause. Yet no one wants to address and look for the "causes" to such "stress".

Look at the "entire" picture of the environment (society) in which the patient is and situation and circumstances surrounding that patient was in.

How would you react and what will you do in such a situation and circumstance in that environment?

I am sure everyone has a completely different reaction.

What do you think?

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Must have somehow felt a kind of thrill when a 'underwear hunting mission' was successful but obviously only temporary stress relief for him as he kept on doing it!

The word 'loser' springs to mind yet again.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Nothing unhealthy about sexual fetishes.

Sorry but if the fetish involves stealing underwear of women, plus exposing oneself to women more than 20 times, it is exceedingly unhealthy behaviour by the criminal and upon the innocent victims, who no doubt are still disturbed. Yuya Arai is a sick creep who deserves a long stretch in prison.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

How would you react and what will you do in such a situation and circumstance in that environment?

I think you'll find most of us here DO live in that kind of environment. We all experience stress in our daily lives. Especially if we live in a country like Japan as a foreigner.

I am sure everyone has a completely different reaction.

No, I think you will find the vast majority of reactions can be narrowed down to talking with friends, kicking back with a few beers, watching Netflix or doing a sport we enjoy.

What do you think?

I think like most normal people think - there is nothing healthy about this persons fetishes, especially when they victimize other people. Clearly he is ill and needs professional help, and like so many others, I doubt he is going to get it in Japan.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

How does stealing women's underwear and upskirting them relieve stress. Go work out, go watch a movie, read a book or better yet go to those x rated sites if you want to get this kind of experience. There's absolutely no reason to engaging in behavior such as this.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

" I think you'll find most of us here DO live in that kind of environment. We all experience stress in our daily lives. Especially if we live in a country like Japan as a foreigner."

I agree, and have you ever noticed the paranoia from the natives?

I would sit in a window at a restaurant and could count the stares,and looky lews, also when I walked around tithe neighborhood,at every intersection cars driving by would look long down the street I was walking. Not to mention the notorious blind sided coughing behind your back on your neck or ear-enough to make you wana inflict sominex.

Had a cop on a bike literally make circles around the end of the street watching me as he was deciding to gaigin card me. And had an old timer security guard run after me as I left Tokyo the dome hotel after visiting a friend..guess I did not fit his programmable index. And lets not forget Tokyo finest in their squad cars following foreigners, or putting the yellow slip in the mailbox, to gain information even though your location may be in the koban map. If this does not add up to stress, what does.

BUT IMO Tokyo of course is better than all other Asian cities, Singapore is close, but more expensive cost on a small island. OH BTW the earthquakes can get nerve racking, and the fear of inhaling splitting atoms is also worrisome.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

(Why only men in Japan here and now are being arrested? Does this happen in other countries? Why? Why not?

What are the laws that only target men? Why? Why not?)

How many women have been caught stealing men's underwear??

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Chef Dorobo's specialty is Pantsu-eared Chikan, in a balcony-caper sauce.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Chef? I bet he's just a line cook.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

@kazetsukai "Does this happen in other countries?"

In "other countries" they still have a system of good ol' taboos. The society sharply condemn any form of sexual deviation, considered it utterly wrong and even dangerous for members of that society. That is why you will never see there any movie or graphic novel where young guy look for women's underwear.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Another for the "only in Japan" file...

2 ( +4 / -2 )

As soon as I saw the excuse in the headline, I laughed on the inside. A stereotype about crime motivations in Japan is becoming real.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

That camera certainly pegged this pervert. I had a really stressful day yesterday but the last thing on my mind was pinching Mrs Tanaka's knickers wafting in the breeze on her balcony. Couple of Super Dry's and I was OK.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Yeah right! He was going to use them as a "special ingredient" for his latest dish.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Why mention his profession? Of no particular importance in this story unless there's something about chefs we should know.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

There are so many of these knicker thieves in Japan surprised Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra haven't done a Japanese version of the Madness song "In the Middle of the Night".

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Stealing women's underwear. Uh-uh. One thing sure is I don't feel like eating foods this chef cooks.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Fetishes are healthy according to Freud, Jung and numerous other brilliant Jewish academics. Stealing is wrong, and cannot be considered a fetish as stealing is not sexual.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

@Yelnats

Stealing is wrong, and cannot be considered a fetish as stealing is not sexual.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

@Luca: Exactly

0 ( +1 / -1 )

thepersoniam's comments top this thread. So clear, concise & to the point.

Police said they found about 80 underwear items of various sizes belonging to different women at Arai’s home.

If this Arai cat could focus his sexual frustrations into how thepersoniam reflects, this guy could've acquired dozens of women's panties legit.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

This country definitely needs a sex offenders register.

Goodness knows what this scumbag will do next time he's stressed.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

This country definitely needs a sex offenders register.

The D.A. (or Japan's equivalent) would be back-logged for decades worth of these offenders. They wouldn't even know where to start, remember how trendy enjokosai was? Heck, bet lots of authorities were in on the action too- lest they register or prosecute themselves.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

In regards to this case, if he wanted to let off some steam, there are a myriad of places where he as a Japanese male could go to let off "steam" that doesn't involve stealing some woman's underwear or flashing them with his pants off. I just want to know where he works, since I will make sure not to eat there.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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